Chapter 55

Chapter 55: The Emperor Wants to Show Off New Year's Eve at Yimei Yuan, swinging on a swing in the spring... Before entering the palace, Sun Miaoqing had made a series of preparations, intending to replace Zhen Huan and become the most noble woman in this feudal society. However, once inside, not only did she fail to replace Zhen Huan, but she also proved remarkably adept at becoming a scapegoat for others every time. The incident at Yimei Yuan had purely benefited Yu Ying'er. She truly didn't understand. She had been right by the bridge, so why had the Emperor changed his direction? The group of older women deep in the palace were truly hateful. If they weren't competing for male attention, they were showing their disdain for other women. Having nothing better to do all day, they spent their time researching ways to torment people. She really wanted to complain to the Emperor, but what could she say? A maidservant had made a mistake, and the Empress had ordered her to transcribe a volume of Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager. If she were unwilling to do even that, wouldn't she be offending all three giants of the rear palace at once? If she couldn't speak up, she could only copy. Right now, Sun Miaoqing only wanted to finish copying quickly and get a good night's sleep. Human joys and sorrows are not shared. In the same Yanxi Palace, An Lingrong, who received absolutely no imperial favor, was very happy. Her maidservants had also been replaced. Baojuan and Baoque were replaced by two older, more stable ones. Bao Zhen and Bao Zhu. The Emperor and the women of the rear palace treated her like a kitten, a puppy, or a mere toy, looking down on her. Only Consort Hua had reminded her to be her own precious pearl and treasure. The spring scenery outside was beautiful. An Lingrong was dressing herself before a bronze mirror, looking left and right, more satisfied the more she looked. With her bangs combed up, she looked much more refreshed. When it came to taste, Consort Hua was truly superior. Bao Zhen brought over a stack of clothes. "Mistress, which one do you want to wear today?" An Lingrong glanced back. "The one in tender willow green." Your Highness had said she looked good in green. Bao Zhen smiled. "Mistress is going to see Consort Hua; wearing the fabric bestowed by Consort Hua is most appropriate." And indeed it was. The Huanyi Incense had been reformulated, and she was going to take it to Consort Hua. When she arrived at Yikun Palace, Shen Meizhuang was also there. During their chat, An Lingrong mentioned in passing that Sun Miaoqing had previously ordered someone to set up a swing in the Imperial Garden. 【A swing?】 【I thought that without Xiao Yunzi, no one would set up a swing. I didn't expect Sun Miaoqing to know about this as well.】 【If she wasn't being punished, Sun Miaoqing would probably be the one sitting on the swing right now, playing the flute to seduce the Emperor, wouldn't she?】 【The Empress is truly a wonderful person. With one word, she had someone copy such a massive volume of Buddhist scriptures. It seems This Consort misjudged her.】 【Calculating the time... Zhen Huan and the Emperor should have met by now, right?】 Shen Meizhuang followed An Lingrong's lead and said, "At this time, all the flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom, and the apricot blossoms are especially beautiful. If Your Highness is in the mood, we concubines can accompany Your Highness to see them." "No need. You two go." 【What's so good about apricot blossoms? This Consort is going to watch the Emperor display his feathers!】 She had only heard of peacocks displaying their feathers, but how could... the Emperor display his feathers too? Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong didn't quite understand. After leaving Yikun Palace, Shen Meizhuang kept thinking about Consort Hua's inner thoughts. She specifically went to Suiyu Pavilion to ask Zhen Huan directly. "Huan'er, have you met the Emperor privately these past two days?" "The Emperor?" Zhen Huan shook her head repeatedly. She had met someone in the Imperial Garden, but it was Prince Guo, not the Emperor. "Why does Sister Mei ask so suddenly?" "Oh~" Shen Meizhuang said casually, "I just heard some maidservants gossiping on my way here, saying the Emperor has been visiting the Imperial Garden frequently lately. I thought he was coming to see you." Thinking her meeting with Prince Guo had been discovered, Zhen Huan covered it up. "The Emperor has likely already forgotten me. Why would he come here?" Shen Meizhuang took her hand and said with concern, "Your complexion still doesn't look very good. Imperial Physician Wen is young, after all. Should we change to another Imperial Physician to examine you? I can help you ask for Consort Hua's grace." Zhen Huan had originally thought that since she wasn't in favor, faking illness for a few days would be fine. She hadn't expected Imperial Physician Zhang to come by every few days, forcing her to keep taking medicine to maintain her sickly appearance. She comforted her, "The Chief Imperial Physician also visits often. He says it's due to my naturally weak constitution. Sister Mei, there's no need to worry." "I thought your constitution was robust before. How did it become so weak after entering the palace?" Zhen Huan joked, "Perhaps the feng shui of the Forbidden City doesn't suit me." Consort Hua always said Huan'er was faking illness to avoid favor, and Zhen Huan's words were always vague, so Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but feel suspicious. She didn't require Zhen Huan to tell her everything, but she didn't want Huan'er to lie to her either. "Once you enter the palace, you must eventually receive favor. You must not do anything foolish like faking illness to avoid it. If you're discovered, it will implicate the entire Zhen Fu." "How could that happen?" "That's good then. The weather is warming up now that it's spring. You should go out more often and get some sun; it will lift your spirits. It's getting late, so I'll be heading back first." Huanbi saw Shen Meizhuang out, and Liuzhu stepped forward. "Mistress, since Mistress Meizhuang asked this, she must have heard something. Are you still not going to tell her the truth?" "You heard it just now. If faking illness is discovered, it means execution for the whole family. I cannot harm Sister Mei." Liuzhu nodded as if she understood. "I'm just worried that Mistress and Mistress Meizhuang might drift apart as sisters over such a small matter." Zhen Huan thought it probably wouldn't come to that. That day, the sky was clear and bright. The Empress was sitting in the courtyard reading when she overheard Jian Qiu and Huichun gossiping, saying that the lady from Yikun Palace had left for the Imperial Garden early that morning with a small retinue. Consort Hua was usually grand and imposing. Traveling light meant she must have remembered something from her previous life. Furthermore, it most likely had to do with the Emperor, and possibly even with that future Empress Dowager. The reason the Empress had never touched Zhen Huan was mostly due to her wariness of Rouze's influence. That woman who could become the Empress Dowager in the future would not be simple. She didn't want an accidental slip to make the Emperor remember that person again. If that happened, it would truly be a loss. Consort Hua had gone to the Imperial Garden alone. There was likely a good show to watch, just like at Yimei Yuan. So, she didn't call anyone else and only took Jian Qiu out of the palace. Upon arriving at the Imperial Garden, she looked out from the high Qianqiu Pavilion on the rockery. Even though a hundred flowers were vying for beauty in the Imperial Garden, Consort Hua was still a standout presence, drawing everyone's gaze. In terms of beauty, she truly had never lost. Having located her, the Empress came down from the rockery, left Jian Qiu where she was, and went to find Consort Hua alone. "Consort Hua? You too..." She pretended it was a chance encounter, but Nian Shilan immediately covered her mouth. "Shh!" The Empress nodded immediately. After all, having shared the experience of eavesdropping at Yimei Yuan, the two of them had this much unspoken understanding. Nian Shilan let go, pointed ahead, and thought joyfully to herself: 【Grandfather is about to tease his granddaughter soon】